AN  ADDRESS 


BT 

HON.  G.  WASHINGTON  WARREN, 

Delivered  in  Washington,  D.  C., 


AT  THE 


Sixty-Th'rd  Annual  Meeting  of 

THE  AMERICAN  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY, 

JANUARY  20,  1880. 


Published  hy  Request  of  the  Society . 


WASHINGTON  CITY  : 


Colonization  Building,  450  Pennsylvania  Avenue. 
1880. 


NORMAL  COM.  OTU.  PRESS,  MAURTON,  VA. 


AN  ADDRESS 


HON.  G.  WASHINGTON  WARREN, 

Delivered  in  Washington , D.  C 

AT  THE 

Sixty-Third  Annual  Meeting  of 

THE  AMERICAN  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY, 

JANUARY  20,  1880. 


Published  by  Request  of  the  Society . 


WASHINGTON  CITY: 

Colonization  Building,  450  Pennsylvania  Avenue. 
1880. 


ADDRESS. 


Mr.  President: 

The  American  Colonization  Society  is  distinguished  from 
all  other  charitable  and  benevolent  institutions  in  this,  that  it  is  or- 
ganized, and  holds  its  place  of  business  in  the  National  Capital.  New 
York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Boston  and  other  large  cities  have  or- 
ganized Societies  which  from  those  centres  extend  their  operations 
throughout  the  country ; and  they  have  State  Societies  auxiliary  to 
the  American  Colonization  Society.  But  it  is  a significant  fact,  and 
indicative  of  the  National  and  supreme  importance  of  our  Society,  that 
it  was  founded  here  in  Washington,  that  here  it  has  held  its  Annual 
Meetings  for  nearly  two-thirds  of  a century,  and  has  during  all  this 
period,  had  its  executive  committee  composed  of  eminent  and  patriotic 
men  holding  frequent  sessions  here,  and  diligently  endeavoring  to  pro- 
mote its  philanthropic  objects. 

Again,  this  Society,  more  than  any  other  in  our  country,  has  here- 
tofore held  intimate  relations  with  our  National  Government,  and  has 
been  its  selected  agent  in  carrying  out  its  most  delicate  and  humane 
mission . After  Liberia  had  been  established  on  the  western  coast  of 
Africa,  by  the  far-seeing  wisdom  of  the  founders  of  the  American  Col- 
onization Society,  whenever,  during  that  darkest  period  of  the  slave 
trade,  our  ships  of  war  seized  a slave-ship,  and  brought  her  into  an 
American  port,  the  Government  contracted  with  it  to  transport  to  and 
colonize  the  re-captured  Africans  in  that  home  of  the  free.  In  the 
course  of  time,  Liberia  which  had  become  the  home  of  so  many  who  had 
been  snatched  or  redeemed  from  slavery,  was  an  efficient  and  zealous  in- 
strument in  the  capse  of  humanity,  in  breaking  up  that  most  detestable 
traffic. 


4 


Every  great  nation  has  had  its  colonies.  History  is  full  of  the  settle- 
ments of  new  countries  by  peoples  banished  or  voluntarily  emigrating 
from  their  homes,  and  of  the  exactions  made  upon  them  as  they  grew 
up  and  flourished,  but  were  still  kept  in  subjection  as  tributaries  to  the 
mother  country.  Liberia  is  the  only  instance  in  history  of  a free  and 
independent  nation  colonized  by  another  country — not  indeed  by  the 
Government,  but  by  its  incorporated  Society,  which  thus  has  become 
the  founder  of  a distant  State,  destined  to  have  a leading  influence  in  the 
Christianization  of  a Continent.  It  will  be  the  province  of  History  at 
some  future  period,  to  draw  a parallel  between  the  policy  and  aims,  and 
their  comparative  results,  of  the  East  India  Company  and  those  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society : the  one  founded  upon  the  lust  of  personal 
gain  and  plunder,  and  for  the  extension  of  National  dominion,  the  other 
solely  in  the  interest  of  humanity  and  for  the  amelioration  of  a down- 
trodden race. 

If  the  United  States  has  greatly  developed  her  material  resources  by 
the  enforced  employment  of  the  slave  labor  of  those  of  African  descent 
in  the  cultivation  of  what  was  once  her  chief  staple,  she  not  only  has 
expiated  the  National  sin  by  the  sacrifice  of  blood  and  treasure  in  the 
late  war,  resulting  in  emancipation,  but  she,  as  it  were,  made  an  atone- 
ment in  advance  by  presenting  to  Africa  the  form  and  example  of  a 
free  republic  in  Liberia. 

President  Anthony  W.  Gardner,  in  his  message  addressed  to  the 
first  session  of  the  17th  Legislature  of  Liberia  on  the  10th  of  last  month, 
depicts  in  glowing  terms  the  auspicious  omens  of  their  National  prosper- 
ity and  their  means  of  advancing  the  permanent  interests  of  the 
neighboring  peoples.  He  recommends  the  passage  by  the  Legislature 
of  a resolution  of  thanks  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States  for 
sending  the  U.  S.  ship  Ticonderoga  at  a critical  juncture,  and  for 
the  friendly  services  rendered  by  her  Commander,  Commodore  Shu- 
feldt.  He  recommends  liberal  appropriations  lor  the  support  of  the 
schools  and  the  college,  and  favors  the  encouragement  of  internal  im- 
provements. Let  me  quote  a few  eloquent  passages  on  the  Mission 
of  Liberia. 

“Permit  me  to  remark  to  you,  gentlemen  constituting  this  honor- 
able body,  our  duty  to  our  Brethren  of  the  Interior  is  providentially 
plain  before  us.  Let  us  heed  the  Macedonian  call  now,  lest  we  have  cause, 


5 


when  too  late,  to  regret  it.  God  in  His  overruling  providence  has  inclin- 
ed and  predisposed  the  hearts  of  our  Aboriginal  brethren  toward  us  for 
good.  Let  me  urge  upon  you  the  importance  of  heeding  the  divine 
monition,  and  of  engaging  in  the  work-  of  enlarging  our  borders,  and 
making  strong  our  bands,  by  uniting  with  this  intelligent  people 
who  like  ourselves  can  read  and  write  (though  in  a different  language) 
and  who  occupy  no  mean  rank  in  mathematical  and  classical  literature. 
A people  who  for  many  generations  have  been  free  from  the  destructive 
effects  of  intoxicating  drinks,  and  are  therefore  in  the  happy  enjoyment 
of  an  unimpaired  body  and  mind,  an  undwarfed  manhood,  and  a soul 
that  delights  in  the  free  worship  and  adoration  of  the  Great  God,  the 
merciful  and  the  compassionate.  ***** 

“The  aboriginal  tribes  also  in  and  about  Cape  Palmas  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  Bereby  section,  present  a most  encouraging  and  gratify- 
ing aspect.  * * * * * * * 

“ From  these  references,  gentlemen,  your  honorable  body  will  be 
able  to  form  some  idea  of  the  vast  and  favorable  opportunities  present- 
ed to  Government  for  uniting  our  brethren  of  the  tribes  around  and  be- 
yond with  ourselves,  and  thus  laying  the  foundation  of  a powerful  fu- 
ture State.  * ****** 

“I  am  willing,  gentlemen,  and  I believe  you  are,  to  follow  the  in- 
dications of  the  Great  Arbiter  of  all  events  in  the  work  of  civilizing  and 
evangelizing  Africa.  Who  can  divine  the  motive  that  induced  the 
Mohammedan  King,  Ibrahima  Sissi,  to  seek  the  co-operation  of  the  Li- 
berian Government  ? Who  can  foresee  the  sublime  results  that  may 
hang  upon  the  appeals  echoing  from  the  Barline,  Mar,  Soreka,  and 
Grebo  tribes,  for  a more  intimate  connection  with  Liberia  in  all  her  in- 
terests ? Admit  that  their  motives  are  wholly  selfish  and  mercenary. 
Admit  that  their  object  is  only  for  gain ; even  in  that  case  they  will 
compare  favorably  with  other  nations  and  peoples  on  the  globe  who 
make  a much  louder  boast  of  having  higher  aims  in  view  than  the  mam- 
mon of  this  world.  But  can  you  positively  assert  that  there  may  not  be 
a background  of  the  most  thrilling  events,  pregnant  with  the  highest 
interests  of  African  elevation  and  redemption  behind  the  scenes  ? You 
cannot ; you  dare  not . 

‘ ‘ It  seems  to  me  that  I caD  see  in  the  call  of  the  Mohammedan  chief 
the  fall,  or  the  bowing  of  the  crescent  before  the  cross,  at  least,  in  Af- 


6 


rica.  And  who  can  tell  the  part  that  Christian  Liberia  is  to  play  in 
this  great  drama  ? Gentlemen,  allow  me  to  repeat,  we  have  a great 
work  before  us,  and  it  is  our  duty  as  a Christian  Government  to  go  for- 
ward, and  do  all  we  can  in  our  day  and  generation,  to  bring  about  the 
grand  result,  not  only  for  the  unification,  but  the  civilization  and  Chris- 
tianization of  the  thousands  of  heathen  now  sitting  in  darkness  and  in 
the  region  and  shadow  of  death.”  * * * * 

In  concluding  this  topic,  he  announces  the  Liberian  policy  to  be, 
“Interior  development;  and  the  incorporation  of  the  native  tribes  into 
the  Liberian  Body  Politic.” 

Mr.  President,  it  would  seem  from  reading  these  words,  warm  from 
the  pen  of  the  President  of  Liberia,  and  in  the  presence  here  of  those 
who  have  grown  gray  in  this  cause,  that  our  Society  might  hope  for  the 
speedy  realization  of  the  desire  of  its  founders,  and  say  with  Simeon, 
of  old,  “Our  eyes  have  seen  Thy  salvation  which  Thou  hast  prepared 
in  the  presence  of  all  the  people.” 

Now  is  the  glorious  opportunity  of  this  Society.  What  is  wanted 
is,  that  through  its  officers  and  agents,  at  public  meetings  and  through 
the  press,  it  should  make  an  appeal  in  earnest  to  the  whole  country. 

The  apathy  which  has  lately  fallen  upon  our  people  with  regard  to 
helping  on  the  African  colonization  cause  is  owing  to  a strange  misap- 
prehension of  our  duty.  We  often  hear  it  said,  Your  Colonization  So- 
ciety did  much  good  in  the  time  of  slavery  in  the  South,  but,  since  the 
day  of  emancipation,  its  mission  is  ended.  The  colored  people  have  a 
right  to  stay  here,  and  their  labor  is  wanted  here.  If  any  wish  to 
go  to  Liberia,  let  them  obtain  the  means  themselves.  At  any  rate, 
it  is  no  affair  of  ours ; we  are  not  responsible  for  their  present  condi 
tion.  Now  this  position  is  untenable ; we  are  all  wrong.  The  fact  is, 
the  whole  country,  and  every  State,  as  part  of  the  Union,  is  morally  re- 
sponsible for  the  former  existence  of  African  slavery  in  the  South,  and 
the  consequent  present  condition  of  the  freedmen.  All  the  old  States 
agreed  to  the  continuance  of  the  slave  trade  for  twenty  years  after  the 
formation  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  Subsequently,  the 
whole  country  became  responsible  for  the  enforcement  of  the  law  for 
the  rendition  of  fugitive  slaves  from  within  its  borders ; and  for  those 
Northern  statesmen  educated  in  the  North,  who  afterwards  settled  in 
Southern  States,  became  Governors,  or  Senators  and  Representatives  in 


7 


Congress,  and  were  most  pronounced  in  their  pro-slavery  opinions  and 
influence.  We  have  only  to  remember  that  the  late  civil  war  was  for 
the  defense  of  the  National  integrity.  Southern  States  claimed  the 
right  to  secede.  The  North  and  West  declared  secession  impossible — 
that  our  country  was  indivisible.  By  the  grand  result,  we  are  all 
members  of  one  body  politic.  If,  therefore,  one  member  suffers,  all 
the  other  members  suffer  with  it.  If  there  is  local  disorder  in  one  part, 
the  other  parts  are  affected.  If  the  cholera  or  yellow  fever  decimates 
the  population  in  one  State,  the  other  States  send  relief.  If  the  Indian 
is  wronged,  the  whole  country  moves  for  him.  And  so,  the  problem 
of  the  proper  care  of  the  freedmen  is  a problem  for  the  whole  Nation  to 
solve.  What  the  Government  cannot  or  will  not  do,  the  people  should 
be  asked  to  supply. 

Now  thousands  upon  thousands  of  the  freedmen  yearn  to  go  to  their 
fatherland.  If  we  throw  obstacles  in  their  way,  if  we  refuse  to  aid 
them,  because  they  are  wanted  to  till  the  soil  and  raise  the  profitable 
crops  of  this  country,  we  are  just  so  much  partakers  in  the  guilt  of  our 
ancestors  who  favored  the  bringing  of  the  ancestors  of  the  freedmen 
from  Africa  here,  and  placing  them  in  bondage  for  their  labor . 

The  American  Colonization  Society  has  now  a broader  field  than 
ever  before,  and  it  deserves  a place  among  the  missionary  efforts  and 
benevolent  objects  of  the  Christian  community.  By  a zealous  prosecu- 
tion of  its  missionary  work,  not  only  will  Africa  be  brought  more  and 
more  under  the  benign  influence  of  Christianity,  but  the  condition  of 
the  freedmen  remaining  at  the  South  will  be  vastly  improved,  when  it 
shall  be  known,  that  if  they  cannot  fully  enjoy  the  equal  rights  of  citi- 
zenship, they  may  readily  obtain  the  means  of  going  to  what  they 
would  deem  a better  country,  where  they  could  work  out  their  own  des- 
tiny as  a distinct  race,  and  could  accomplish  the  greatest  results  under 
the  most  favorable  conditions.  We  ask,  therefore,  for  the  sympathy, 
the  moral  support,  and  the  generous  aid  of  the  whole  country. 

And  one  word  more  ought  to  be  said  at  this  sixty-third  Anniversary 
Meeting  in  the  National  Capital.  Two  things  can  the  National  Govern- 
ment, in  the  proper  exercise  of  its  constitutional  functions,  do  for  the 
cause  of  our  Society.  Congress  can  respond  favorably  to  the  able  me- 
morial presented  at  its  last  session  for  an  appropriation  for  explorations 
and  surveys  of  the  western  coast  of  Africa,  and  from  Liberia  into  Cen- 


8 


tral  Africa,  in  the  interest  of  commerce  and  civilization.  And  the  Ex- 
ecutive might  be  authorized  to  employ  some  of  the  U.  S.  Steamships  in 
carrying  bi-monthly  mails  from  one  or  more  ports  of  the  United  States, 
so  that,  no  longer  we  shall  be  dependent  upon  British  steamers,  via 
Liverpool,  as  a means  of  communication  with  the  Republic  we  founded ; 
and  that  no  longer  we  shall  be  in  danger  of  losing  our  well-earned  pres- 
tige on  the  African  coast,  by  the  superior  enterprise  and  foresight  of 
the  British  Government;  but  shall  henceforth  show  ourselves  able 
and  willing  to  cherish  and  secure  the  commercial  advantages  which  we 
were  the  first  to  develop.  And  shall  not  the  plea  of  humanity  be  made 
and  answered  ? The  United  States,  in  her  early  history,  lifted  up  her 
voice  for  the  freedom  of  Modern  Greece;  she  has  repeatedly  exerted 
her  National  power  to  rescue  a naturalized  citizen  from  the  custody  of 
his  native  country  which  claimed  him  as  her  subject.  And  will  she  not 
now  grant  this  boon  to  those  deserving  freedmen  who  long  for  their 
fatherland,  and  to  Liberia  which  has  sprung  from  her  very  loins,  and 
which  promises  to  be  a remedial  power  for  the  healing  of  the  African 
Nations  ? 


